August 12 / 15.20 Ascot

15.20

Soft

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £39344
  • 0m 7f 213y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (Handicap)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 9-7017 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won the 1m Britannia over the straight course at Royal Ascot 2021; finally scored again at Sandown (1m) last month when a hood was enlisted and while his credentials on softer than good are more shaky, his soft-ground seventh in both the Victoria Cup here in May and at Goodwood last week weren't too bad; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

(10)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Perotto

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Roger Varian

Excellent third in competitive 1m handicaps on both runs this season, firstly the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (good to firm) and then at Sandown (soft); has won here twice and was a fair seventh in this last year; one to consider.

15/2

3rd

4

(9)

6th Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Perotto

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Roger Varian

Suited by good/firmer; record of 2-6 for current yard; creditable third in the Royal Hunt Cup last month on seasonal debut; successful in this contest last year and has to be feared despite being 8lb higher this time.

9/2

3rd

8

(17)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Perotto

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Roger Varian

Suited by good/firmer; won the Britannia at this meeting in 2021; disappointing favourite (only tenth) in this race last year and now has to overcome a lack of recent match practice, having been absent since last-gasp success in the Shergar Cup Mile here ten months ago.

18/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: 4/13-4

Last run: 211 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Talented but tricky (carries head high) and it was a three-runner race when he belatedly got his head back in front in January 2022 (9.4f, AW); absent 328 days before well below form in an AW race this January and that 1m run was his first over a trip this short since 2018; low on the list despite the return of his hood.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(7)

27th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:30 Goodwood

Fox Tal

9st 9lb

J: Joshua Bryan

T: Andrew Balding

Clear best effort this year when nearly winning the Shergar Cup Mile at Ascot (good) where he was collared on the wire; capable on his day but remains quirky and has scored only once since 2019.

8/1

6th

2

(6)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

18:50 Windsor

Fox Tal

9st 7lb

J: William Carver

T: Andrew Balding

Quirky customer who carries his head high and whose only win in his last 20 starts came in a three-runner race; went close in one of the handicaps at the Shergar Cup (1m; better at this trip) last time but did have the run of things up front and still couldn't quite finish the job off; others preferred.

10/1

2nd

4

(4)

12th Aug 2023

Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:20 Ascot

Fox Tal

9st 10lb

J: Joao Moreira

T: Andrew Balding

took keen hold, led at steady pace, went clear over 1f out, reduced lead inside final furlong, headed final stride

16/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -72095 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Last three wins have been over 1m on softer than good, as was his close second at Newmarket this April (1lb lower today); respectable fifth of nine over 1m on the straight course here (good) two weeks ago and probably in serious contention today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

13

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

Empirestateofmind

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Multiple wins at 1m and 1m1f (good or softer) include two over C&D; quite favourably treated now and he was a very respectable fourth at Ripon recently, when just behind a subsequent winner; needs a bit more here.

16/1

4th

2

(6)

16th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Ripon

Empirestateofmind

9st 12lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: John & Sean Quinn

Two wins last year (1m/1m1f, good/soft); the last of them came in a seller and he was well beaten on last month's reappearance at Doncaster, but that was the competitive Spring Mile and he may have needed the run; won this in 2022 and he's not discounted off a handy mark.

10/1

4th
10 (8)

6/1

Form: 0-5380 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
All four of his runs at Ascot were over 7f, twice running creditably; that includes stable debut at the Royal meeting this term, before never dangerous behind Perotto at Sandown when trying 1m for the first time in over two years; bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: -36966 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Can lead; ran a cracker when going close in a Group 3 at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) last July; best efforts since have been on AW but he showed enough when sixth of 20 at Goodwood (1m, soft) last week to be given a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(26)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

The Wizard Of Eye

9st 8lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tom Clover

Seen only twice, both times on AW, last term for new yard; made a winning reappearance off current mark in this contest (on good ground) two years ago on first start during a brief spell with Charlie Fellowes; fighting chance in repeat bid, assuming he's in top form.

16/1

3rd

1

(9)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

The Wizard Of Eye

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Tom Clover

Just 1lb higher than for his Victoria Cup win last term (first run for Charlie Fellowes); midfield at Royal Ascot (Group 1) one month later; absent since a disappointing run on soft ground last September; cheekpieces worn on his last 11 starts are left off on today's stable debut (same owners); interesting, especially if backed.

11/2

11th

2

(12)

7th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

13:35 Ascot

The Wizard Of Eye

9st 9lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Fellowes

Has form on all types of ground; gelded prior to his Victoria Cup success over C&D on stable/seasonal debut, getting up in the final strides; got going too late in 6f Group 1 at Royal Ascot on only start since; still on a workable mark and warrants respect returned to a 7f handicap.

9/2

Form: 221-08 D

Last run: 183 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Improved with 4l win at Kempton (1m, AW) last September; struggled in two handicaps at Meydan early this year; cheekpieces (worn on last four starts) are removed; while there are plenty of doubts over his rivals too, he probably needs at least his peak form to take this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

(1)

6th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Positive Impact

9st 6lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Has a record of 2-3 on the AW after dominating from the front in a 1m handicap at Chelmsford a month ago; likely to attempt something similar here and he's earned a crack at this level.

7/2

1st

3

(6)

4th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Positive Impact

9st 5lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Had just one run on Polytrack, routing his rivals in a 1m handicap at Kempton last September off 2lb lower; well beaten in two runs in Dubai (one on dirt) early in the year and two turf runs this summer saw him unplaced too; returns to Polytrack on a reduced mark as a result and there are grounds for expecting much better.

8/1

9th

2

(3)

2nd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

13:35 Chester

Positive Impact

9st 10lb

J: William Buick

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

prominent

11/2

Form: 1-2108

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Won at Haydock (7f, good) in April; possibly unsuited by soft going in the Victoria Cup here in May and never able to get beyond mid-division in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (7f, good to soft) four weeks ago but he did stick to his task; return to 1m (last five runs were 7f) is more than plausible and he could be interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(10)

18th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newmarket

Rainbow Fire

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Marco Botti

took keen hold

8/1

4th

7

(10)

18th May 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newmarket

Rainbow Fire

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Marco Botti

Arrives here fit and in form after a third of nine at Haydock (7f, soft; unraced on firmer than good) three weeks ago; C&D winner earlier in career; should be in the thick of things again.

8/1

3rd

6

(4)

27th Apr 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 212y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Rainbow Fire

9st 0lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Marco Botti

midfield

8/1

Form: 344000 C

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Has wormed his way into the front rank in many a top handicap in his time but not this season; now 5lb lower than when taking a big prize here (7f, good to soft) last October; highly familiar face at Ascot and although he's never run on the round course, he's gone well right and left-handed elsewhere; case can be made.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(6)

20th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Escobar

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

steadied start, towards rear

10/1

9th

8

(8)

9th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Escobar

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

sweating, dwelt start, midfield on near side of group

14/1

8th

7

(11)

27th Oct 2023

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 2

18:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Escobar

9st 3lb

J: Neil Callan

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who's become hard to win with and been on the downgrade this year, coming 22lb down the weights; late in the day to be making his Tapeta debut in a new form of headgear and will need some luck if dropped in as usual from stall 11.

12/1

Form: 712-66 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Career-best form over about 1m on AW last winter, before a flop in January; refused to enter stalls once in April and well adrift at 40-1 in a Listed race at Pontefract 13 days ago when next seen (first run on softer than good); lots to find on turf form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(4)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Excel Power

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

prominent

14/1

8th

2

(7)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:30 Ripon

Excel Power

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Not won on turf since Windsor success in May 2022 (1m, good to firm); has won on AW since; back on a good mark, fair fourth at Windsor last time (1m, good to firm) so could go well.

10/1

OUR TIP

16/1

Form: -57867 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Six-time AW winner who is 0-32 on turf; that's hard to ignore and today's run (his second since a 110-day absence) would have to be one of his best to give him any chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(10)

15th Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 20y

18:55 Killarney

Freescape

10st 11lb

J: Darragh O’Sullivan

T: David Marnane

Seven wins on AW and was in good heart at Dundalk over the winter but 0-33 on turf and best watched after a layoff.

14/1

13th

7

(7)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Freescape

9st 6lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

Irish 9yo who is a multiple winner at Dundalk and is currently in a consistent vein of form; retains plenty of ability but has failed to cut the mustard in three previous Good Friday attempts (all here).

25/1

2nd

2

(6)

8th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 0f 0y

18:45 Dundalk (AW)

Freescape

9st 5lb

J: Luke McAteer

T: David Marnane

soon led at slow pace, increased tempo when switched right from 2f out, ridden when headed towards near side inside final furlong, kept on but no match for winner

11/4

Non-runners

Bear Force One, Outbreak

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £71.20
Straight Forecast £69.74
Tricast £199.88
Trifecta £282.70

Selections

TOPSPEED:

The Wizard Of Eye

POSTDATA:

Empirestateofmind

NEWMARKET:

Perotto

SPOTLIGHT:

Rainbow Fire

RP RATINGS:

Escobar

LAMBOURN:

The Wizard Of Eye

The Guardian:

The Wizard Of Eye

Daily Mail:

The Wizard Of Eye

D Express:

Empirestateofmind

Daily Mirror:

Empirestateofmind

The Star:

Empirestateofmind

The Times:

Perotto

Telegraph:

Perotto

Daily Record:

Perotto